Matthew 19:21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
Luke 18:22 22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
Luke 12:33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
The first two passages apply to a rich man who claimed to have followed the law; no doubt not at God's standards but nonetheless the main issue was his covetous heart related to possessions. The last passage was Jesus talking with His Disciples about His providing basic food and clothing needs (again; as I have emphasized before shelter even for Christ was a nomadic transient thing given His type of ministry).
Considering the meaning here we have to observe the whole pattern of valuing God over family; as Jesus Himself demonstrated when stating "who is my mother and brother ( Matt. 12:58); and then in the next two verses explains that the Disciples are such.
What we can't say is that Jesus wants us to forego all sources of work or financial plans. Jesus Himself worked for most of His adult life before the last few years of ministry; and Paul would provide for himself making tents; and also commended some wealthy women who were beneficial in the ministry. Money was to be set aside the first day of the week; etc.
I can also look in my own life to the house I own; legally I can't sell it even if I wanted to as it is in my Dad's name even though it goes to me when he passes.
What is clear to me is that all of our money should in the present and future plans be planned to support the Lord; in my case I don't have any children to support. Once we "retire" all our time should focus on ministry as health allows.
Luke 18:22 22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
Luke 12:33 Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth.
The first two passages apply to a rich man who claimed to have followed the law; no doubt not at God's standards but nonetheless the main issue was his covetous heart related to possessions. The last passage was Jesus talking with His Disciples about His providing basic food and clothing needs (again; as I have emphasized before shelter even for Christ was a nomadic transient thing given His type of ministry).
Considering the meaning here we have to observe the whole pattern of valuing God over family; as Jesus Himself demonstrated when stating "who is my mother and brother ( Matt. 12:58); and then in the next two verses explains that the Disciples are such.
What we can't say is that Jesus wants us to forego all sources of work or financial plans. Jesus Himself worked for most of His adult life before the last few years of ministry; and Paul would provide for himself making tents; and also commended some wealthy women who were beneficial in the ministry. Money was to be set aside the first day of the week; etc.
I can also look in my own life to the house I own; legally I can't sell it even if I wanted to as it is in my Dad's name even though it goes to me when he passes.
What is clear to me is that all of our money should in the present and future plans be planned to support the Lord; in my case I don't have any children to support. Once we "retire" all our time should focus on ministry as health allows.
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